Kat Higgins
Growing up with seven kids in the house and a father who loved listening to Irish music, Kat Higgins remembers pushing play on the family’s tape deck, learning songs like “Fields of Athenry” and “Danny Boy.” It wasn’t long before she and her brothers and sisters were performing them together for her parent’s friends. What started out as a song or two at parties quickly grew into full on concerts.
“We looked like a scene from The Sound of Music,” Kat remembers. “We wore matching outfits, and stood in order of height.” By the time she was ten years old, she was earning money at it, and by age 13, she had bought her first guitar.
She learned to play that guitar and eventually began honing her skills as a songwriter. As the group became more popular, it wasn’t just family and friends who took notice. Open Road/Universal Music Canada soon came calling. By this time, some of the siblings had lost interest in being in a band, so along with one sister and brother, The Higgins were formed.
The transition into a country music trio was effortless with the sound of their tight-knit family harmonies. Kat loved that storytelling was at the heart of country music. She co-wrote almost every song they recorded and at 19, she was well on her way to realizing what she had been born to do.
The group’s unique sound and catchy melodies propelled the trio to the top of the Canadian radio charts. They were nominated for multiple awards including CCMA Group/Duo of the year. However, the group disbanded when older sister Eileen decided to become a stay at home mom. All was not lost. Kat knew where she belonged. During the making of the band’s albums, she travelled back and forth to Nashville, where she spent her time co-writing.
Kat finally made the one-way trip to Nashville for good. “Music is the true constant in my life,” says Kat with a smile. “The only relationship I’ve known how to maintain is with mr. guitar.” Like some of her influences, The Dixie Chicks, Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac and Emmylou Harris, she knew the importance of crafting a song. Kat thrived on producing the music, not just singing it.
Having caught the attention of Nashville music industry veteran Pat Higdon, she was offered her first publishing deal with Patrick Joseph Music. A young uninhibited spirit blended with old soul wisdom, Kat knows how to tell an emotional story. Her vulnerable lyrics compliment her smoky and unique voice.
While many things have changed for Kat in the last few years, the motivation of her craft has stayed the same. “It’s a simple goal, whether through a lyric, a melody or a performance, I just want to make people feel.”
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